Digital whiteboards (interactive whiteboards) are appearing in classrooms around the world. These presentation tools help to help to energize learners and enhance lessons. An interactive whiteboard acts like an interactive slide show. Students are able to write on the board and manipulate digital objects during lessons. Furthermore, teachers are able to set up lesson before hand, save lessons and jump back and forth between slide or older lessons.

Whiteboards come in a range of prices and types. The first and most expensive type of interactive whiteboard is the rear-projection board. No separate projector is required and users do not need to worry about creating a shadow. The most common digital whiteboard is the front-projection board. Shadows can be a problem especially if you stand in front. Students quickly adapt to using the board. Boards are durable and work well with a projector mounted on the ceiling or on a movable trolley.

The newest type of interactive whiteboards are short-throw projection boards. These boards have projectors attached to the whiteboard. The short-throw projectors reduce the number of wires and the shadow effect by projecting the image from a short distance.  Some companies are even adding built in speakers to their short-throw whiteboards and are the most popular and practical choice for classrooms.

Several companies make interactive whiteboards, and as the market becomes more competitive, prices will decrease. As with most technology, do not be surprised if the board you bought a year ago is dramatically cheaper the following year. Each type of interactive whiteboard has its own special features, and they are constantly improving. Do your homework, and make sure you test drive them.
 

Interactive whiteboard companies include; Promethean, Smart Technologies, PolyVision, Numonics, Hitachi, and Johnny Lee's Wiimote.
 

Visit Wikipedia for an indepth look at interactive whiteboards.